Input Mechanism for Fingerprint-Based Internet Search

1. In a targeted search system in which a fingerprint is generated corresponding to the targeted search, a method of inputting target search fingerprint parameters, comprising the steps of: providing a database constructed to support the generation of a fingerprint, the database having graphics corresponding to hypothetical vision parameters organized in accordance with the associated database construction involving a master plan and parameters; generating a number of hypothetical vision parameters from the database; and, selecting which vision parameters are to be used in the fingerprint.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected hypothetical vision parameters are cascaded in accordance with the selection.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein each of the hypothetical vision parameters has an associated number, and further including the step of combining the numbers associated with the selected hypothetical vision parameters to form the fingerprint.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selection step includes providing the hypothetical vision parameters on a touch screen, the selection of a hypothetical vision parameter being accomplished by touching the portion of the touch screen at which the hypothetical vision parameter to be selected is situated.

5. The method of claim 4 , and further including the step of maintaining selected hypothetical vision parameters in one region of the touch screen.

6. The method of claim 5 , and further including the step of permitting return to a preselected hypothetical vision parameter by touching a hypothetical vision parameter maintained on the touch screen.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein hypothetical vision parameters maintained on the touch screen are cascaded in the original selection order.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein selection of a hypothetical vision parameter maintained on the touch screen permits going to a predetermined place in the cascade.

9. The method of claim 1 , and further including a virtual consultant hypothetical vision parameter and further including the step of exiting the virtual consultant by selecting the hypothetical vision parameter corresponding to the virtual consultant.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a hypothetical vision parameter includes therein a number of hypothetical vision parameters, and further including the step of zooming in on one of the number of hypothetical vision parameters to display the zoomed-to hypothetical vision parameter.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein a hypothetical vision parameter defines a category having a number of hypothetical vision parameters and by zooming thereon a number of the hypothetical vision parameters in the category are presented.

12. The method of claim 1 , and further including the step of an entrant generating its particular fingerprint to which the targeted fingerprint is to be matched by generating the entrant's own hypothetical vision parameter.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the entrant's hypothetical vision parameters include the step of presenting the entrant's hypothetical vision parameter on a touch screen.

14. The method of claim 1 , and further including the step of generating audio-based hypothetical parameters.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the audio-based hypothetical parameters are generated in place of hypothetical vision parameters.

16. A textless system for implementing input to a fingerprint-based targeted search system, comprising: a database constructed to support the generation of a fingerprint, the database having graphics corresponding to hypothetical vision parameters organized in accordance with the associated database construction involving a master plan and parameters; a touch screen for displaying a hypothetical vision parameter from the vision parameters organized in said database; and a fingerprint generator for generating a fingerprint based on sequential touch screen selected hypothetical vision parameters, whereby the system can be used by those not familiar with any given language.